Want a deal on wheels? 60th Anniversary Edition '01 Jeep Cherokee, only $2000!

Need a great deal on a dependable, reliable small SUV? Don't want to pay full price? Don't mind surface scratches and small dents?

(Looks un-damaged, doesn't it?)

How does $2000 sound?

Full disclosure: I bought this 60th Anniversary Edition Cherokee off-lease from a Jeep employee in 2002. It has been my baby and extremely well taken care of for the last 9 years. However, on 25 August, our house was burglarized. The Jeep is not driven daily, so it was in my locked garage. The jerks found my spare car keys and stole it, ramming it through my garage door, which left many surface scratches & small dents. It was recovered by the police after being missing ~3 weeks, found parked on a residential street. Aside from the exterior, the vehicle is as solid as the day before it was stolen. I had my shop go through it entirely, and all mechanical, engine, powertrain, chassis, frame, etc etc etc was verified intact. Just a lot of small body damage spots.

Multiple estimates confirm the body repairs are approximately $7200. Few parts need replacement, so most cost is in labor. Damaged front fiberglass grille shroud, rear liftgate, and rear bumper are probably the largest $$$ items. Additionally, there are small spots and scrapes all over the exterior. You don't even notice this unless you were standing next to the car.

The Kelly Blue Book value (prior to theft damage) is approximately equal to the cost to repair, so my insurance company plans to process it as a total loss claim next week. They give me the option to buy the car back from them (amount TBD, but I'm estimating $2000) since I know it's otherwise in solid shape and they know how much I loved this car. The only drawbacks are it would be issued a salvage title, and all repairs would be up to me (you) at that point. Either that, or my insurance company will sell it at their own salvage yard or auto auction.

I'm planning on buying another used utility vehicle, but I also thought about just buying this Jeep back and not repairing it. Since it is perfectly drivable and in great mechanical shape, I could use it guilt-free for some serious 4x4 off-road excursions, not worrying about those tree scratches and rocker-panel scrapes while crawling through the woods. But, since I only have a 1-car garage, it doesn't make practical sense for me to carry the insurance, registration, etc costs for a "toy" vehicle.

Official Vehicle Information:

2001 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT

VIN: 1J4FF48S81L624449

4 DR. WAGON/SPORT UTILITY

4.0L L6 MPI

ALL WHEEL DRIVE

Additional details:
60th Anniversary Edition (custom 17" alum alloy wheels, emblems, fancy floor mats)
Deep tint rear privacy glass
105k miles
All power options (windows, door locks, side mirrors, rear wiper)
Towing package (heavy duty transmission cooling, Mopar 2" receiver hitch & wiring)
Lots of tread remaining on Goodyear Wrangler GS-A all-terrain tires, full size spare
A/C recently serviced
3 free oil changes remaining (Lithia Jeep in Renton, WA)
CD/tape/AM-FM factory radio

The roof rack was slightly damaged (left rear cleat doesn't fully clamp down) but still seems usable.

Aside from theft, vehicle has a spotless Carfax Vehicle History Report. Email me and I'll send to you.

LET ME KNOW ASAP if you are interested. Otherwise I will hand the key and title over to my insurance company for salvage processing next week.

Below are a few more pictures. I have to zoom in very close to see the damage on camera!